Virtual Teaching- How are you 'SHOWING UP'?

 Our academic year was slated to commence on September 7, 2020; however the spike in COVID19 cases across the island didn't allow that.  This saw the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information pushing the reopening of schools to October 5, 2020. We are currently a few days away from this reopening and for the last couple of weeks our country has seen triple digit cases daily and the death toll rising rapidly. Schools are still scheduled to reopen, but will take on the modalities of online teaching and learning, providing printing materials to drop off points and the use of  cable, radio and television broadcasting.  Now, the big question is How are you showing up? 

Private institutions across the island commenced the engagement of their students from September 14, 2020 with what seems to be a race against time to fit it all in virtually.  Some face the possible shut down of their schools as parents have opted to withdraw their children due to the fact that school fees are still mandatory to be paid.  Administrators are at wit's ends balancing the books, empowering their staff and keeping themselves afloat during these scrupulous times.  

COVID19 is here, its real and it impacts us all.  How are you showing up? Pointer finger up if you feel overwhelmed by virtual planning and teaching.  I see you all! I know some of you feel like you are wandering in enemy territory with the vast number of technological platforms, strategies, tools and concerns that come with teaching virtually.  I don't want anyone lurking in enemy territory with the fear of getting out in one piece, so I am here to share some tips on making virtual teaching easier.

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information in collaboration with the Jamaica Teaching Council embarked on implementing training sessions across the seven Regions on the island in order to assist teachers in maneuvering the G-Suite platform effectively before the reopening of schools. To date a vast number of teachers have been adequately trained to utilize the platform and training continues for other cohorts commencing October 2, 2020.  They have taken on a proactive approach in ensuring that all teachers and students will be accommodated under the Ministry's website domain; as they have generated personalized G-Mail accounts to be used for the new norms of teaching and learning.  Whilst online teaching on a widespread scale is relatively new in Jamaica especially at the Primary and Early Childhood levels, it has become a globalized initiative that we ought to adjust to as time passes. 

So I ask once more, "How are you showing up?" Your answer should steer you away from "Business as usual"; as this approach will only see you drowning to get your job done.  In this blog post I will look at ways to tackle online teaching when face to face is all you know.

1. First Week of School- Your first thought might be, "I am a month behind in the curriculum, let's get started." Yes we all want to get started but the Curriculum will definitely not be the first option.  Instead you will be expected to build a community of students who are digitally competent.  Within the first week of school, students along with their parents will need practice with the digital tools you'll be using to engage them. Utilizing the Google Classroom at this time will give you the opportunity to take your students virtually through the different sections of the classroom; like how to locate and submit their assignments but most importantly how to log in and be ready for classes.

2. Streamlining Communication with Parents- Likewise ourselves, parents too are adjusting to these new norms of the education system and communication from their child's teacher is crucial at this point.  Be reminded they are not all on the same page but will be expected to take on an even more instrumental role in their child's education. Therefore, as teachers we need to provide multimodal platforms through which effective communication can thrive.  Setting clear expectations and boundaries are imperative as well as providing tech support for parents who are struggling with online platforms.

3. Teacher Collaboration- As teachers we need to stay connected with each other.  In order to tackle the challenges of online learning we need to work together to make it easier. Collaboration will assist us in creating a community of teachers who are competent in training each other by sharing ideas, planning lessons and providing feedback.  We are not alone, as such we should create these virtual groups so we can learn and build from each other.  To some, online teaching is a walk in the park for others it could feel like two laps around a football field.  Get started on those community of teachers who empower each other to get the job done.

4. Plan Simplified Content- Online teaching is not conducive to delivering large quantities of content and expecting our students to master them all.  If you delve into this approach you will not only frustrate your students but you will feel the pinch of it too.  Instead, simplify the content provided online and slow down whilst utilizing the flipped classroom approach where students are given additional materials to explore on their own. 

Our teaching environment might not look the same anymore, but good teaching remains.  You have all the skills and tools to make it happen just Show Up and get started. In my next posts I will take you through the G-Suite applications to making virtual teaching easy-peasy.  Remember to click the Subscribe button. 😊